Cardinals ***Offical 2012 STL Cardinals World Champions Thread *** - Page 99

**BigRedChief** · 08:57 PM

St. Louis Cardinals: 7 reasons fans should feel good about 2012

Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 9:26 PM

St. Louis Cardinals fans are likely feeling deflated after the collapse that put an end to the team's dreams of a World Series repeat, but there is good reason to be excited.

With all of the odds against them, the Cardinals managed to push their 2012 season beyond any anticipated boundary.

Given all of the season's changes and the adversity the team had to fight through, the fact that they played in October at all was an anomaly in itself. On paper, it made sense for the Cardinals to be in the playoffs, but few saw them as a true threat.
As the season continued, even fans began to doubt as they watched the team seemingly crumble in June and July. When the Cardinals finally came to life in September they went 11-5 in the last 16 games of the season to lock up the second Wild Card position in its inaugural year.

That run, despite it's crushing end in Cincinnati in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, lots of good came from the Cardinals' season and playoff run.
Following in no particular order are 10 reasons Cardinals fans have to be excited about the 2013 season.

Trevor Rosenthal
When rookie fireballer Trevor Rosenthal made his first trip to St. Louis, it was obvious almost instantly that he was something special.
Between his 100 mph fastball and the general inability for almost anyone to hit off of him, he became a huge part of the Cardinals playoff run.

He pitched in a total of 19 regular season games before the 22-year-old rookie from Lee's Summit, Mo. got his first taste of postseason baseball and he put on quite a show.
In 8.2 IP over seven postseason appearances, Rosenthal held opponents to only two hits and no runs.
It's possible that down the stretch he may have already earned his spot in the rotation for 2013.

Shelby Miller
The long-coveted fastball pitching prospect Shelby Miller also made his first trip to St. Louis in 2012 and put on a good show.
In 13.2 IP over six regular season games, Miller surrendered only two runs on nine hits. His postseason performance was more of the same with two runs on four hits in 3.2 IP.

Despite a dismal first half of the season in Memphis, Miller got himself together and still managed to make one major league start before the end of the season -- a very impressive start at that.
Against the Cincinnati Reds in the final game of the regular season, Miller posted 5.2 hitless innings. He gave up no runs and collected his first major league win.

Expect to see a lot more of Miller in St. Louis early in 2013.

Joe Kelly
When Joe Kelly made his major league debut on June 10, few could have guessed the importance he would play throughout the remainder of the 2012 season.
Kelly started 16 games for the Cardinals this season filling in for Jaime Garcia and Lance Lynn, but it was the postseason when he really came through for his teammates.

When starting pitchers struggled time and again in October, it was Kelly who came to their rescue.
In seven postseason appearances, Kelly threw 7.2 innings and surrendered only two runs on six hits. Kelly came through for the Cardinals from the bullpen.
There's a good chance that could be his home in the future.

Mike Matheny
When the Cardinals hired Mike Matheny to take over for Tony LaRussa, many question bringing in a manager with no experience to such a storied franchise.

He had a few hiccups and growing pains along the way, but for a rookie manager to get his team where Matheny did this year speaks volumes.
His players have a strong respect for Matheny and credit his positive style with being a driving force behind their 2012 success.
True, he didn't get them through the NLCS, but the team made it to an all or nothing Game 7. That's good experience for the players obviously, but also for Matheny. Not only did he learn a lot about managing in the media pressure cooker that is postseason baseball, he also got a taste of what it felt like to win as a manager.

NLCS loss means more drive to win
While the NLCS loss was a good lesson for a young manager, it's an even more important lesson for a young player.
The 2011 championship lit a fire under young players like Lance Lynn and Jon Jay. That fire helped drive them to extremely successful sophomore seasons.

What happened in 2012 will likely do the same for Rosenthal, Miller and Kelly. Their 2013 season may not be like Jay or Lynn's 2012, but now they've gotten a little taste of what it feels like to be a winner.

Both the excitement and the public humbling can be a great experience for any young player.

The run was without several key components
In a season riddled with injuries, none were as crucial as those late in the season.
The loss of Lance Berkman and Rafael Furcal significantly weakened the team's bench. Instead of having Pete Kozma, Allen Craig and Matt Carpenter to pinch hit, the team wound up having to use them in the lineup.

The loss of Jaime Garcia and Jake Westbrook also rocked the Cardinals. Instead of having Lynn and Westbrook also available from the bullpen, Lynn was pushed back into the rotation after a very successful NLDS bullpen stint.

Having gotten as deep into the playoffs as the Cardinals did in spite of the injuries is quite the accomplishment.

They did it without Pujols, LaRussa and Duncan
Few in the world of sports gave the Cardinals a fighting chance when Albert Pujols left the team to play on the west coast. Surely this team couldn't be as good as they were?

Few gave them a chance after longtime manager Tony LaRussa decided it was time to retire.
Few gave them a chance after pitching coach Dave Duncan left the team.
The Cardinals did it despite all of that. That's something any fan should be proud of.

No, they didn't hoist a trophy. There will be no parade or tickertape.
What there is, though, is hope for next year and that will come sooner than you may think.
After all, pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in just four short months.

From a blog I was sent on twitter: http://www.dailystatesman.com/blogs/...es/entry/50051

jd1020 · 10-12-2012, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

Try being a Royals fan.

What's game 5?

jd1020 · 10-12-2012, 07:50 PM

Wow... That is one of the worst ball calls ever.

**BigRedChief** · 10-12-2012, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OnTheWarpath58

Yeah, that worked out great.

We are going to lose because of the same BS that we did all year. Spotty and inconsistent offense causing us to lose games when our pitching is great.

kcpasco · 10-12-2012, 07:52 PM

A blast would be nice here from Craig

**BigRedChief** · 10-12-2012, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcpasco

If you keep going to elimination games it's bound to happen sometime.

At least it's not to a douchebag team like the Reds or Brewers.

yeah, we don't have any history with the Nationals. Losing to the Brewers last year would have sucked so bad. Instead we got to celebrate on their home turf. They mortgaged their future and we still beat them. Getting to do that and move on to the World Series was pretty cool.

Sonic Cowboy-Raider · 10-12-2012, 08:00 PM

My own salute to each & every one of you

kcpasco · 10-12-2012, 08:05 PM

Miller Rosenthal and Kelly

The future is bright.

**BigRedChief** · 10-12-2012, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

Try being a Royals fan.

We are so spoiled

Since 2000 there have been 10 different World Series Champs out of the 12 possible series's. Only repeats were the Yankees and us out of 32 teams. Thats 66% of teams that havent got to taste that sweet WS championship champagne.

Since 2000 we have been to the playoffs 9 times out of those 12 years.

Bunch of whiners for complaining about getting beat by a team that hasn't hosted a playoff since the 1933. A city that lost their baseball team. Thats some long suffering fans.

Simply Red · 10-12-2012, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonic Raider

My own salute to each & every one of you

wow - what a dork. Your back drop looks like ass from the eighties too, tell your mom to kill the drapes.

kcpasco · 10-12-2012, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigRedChief

We are so spoiled

Since 2000 there have been 10 different World Series Champs out of the 12 possible series's. Only repeats were the Yankees and us out of 32 teams. Thats 66% of teams that havent got to taste that sweet WS championship champagne.

Since 2000 we have been to the playoffs 9 times out of those 12 years.

Bunch of whiners for complaining about getting beat by a team that hasn't hosted a playoff since the 1933. A city that lost their baseball team. Thats some long suffering fans.

Ya this game is only in the 5th.
The Cards still got some fight in them.

Swanman · 10-12-2012, 08:13 PM

Gio is looking very ordinary. His control still sucks and he is getting behind almost every hitter. There is a ray of hope but the Cards need to get the **** going.

Simply Red · 10-12-2012, 08:14 PM

usually when they're at their best - when their will is tested.

jd1020 · 10-12-2012, 08:16 PM

Bout time for Washington to get someone up in the pen.

**BigRedChief** · 10-12-2012, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Red

usually when they're at their best - when their will is tested.

yep, for whatever reason they get it going when they are at their worse.

Bases loaded and no one out with the top of the line up coming up.

Sonic Cowboy-Raider · 10-12-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Red

wow - what a dork. Your back drop looks like ass from the eighties too, tell your mom to kill the drapes.

[IMG]

[/IMG]

01-04-2012, 10:08 PM
BigRedChief Has a particular set of skills Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: On the water Casino cash: $-561038 VARSITY	*Offical 2012 STL Cardinals World Champions Thread * St. Louis Cardinals: 7 reasons fans should feel good about 2012 Posted Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at 9:26 PM St. Louis Cardinals fans are likely feeling deflated after the collapse that put an end to the team's dreams of a World Series repeat, but there is good reason to be excited. With all of the odds against them, the Cardinals managed to push their 2012 season beyond any anticipated boundary. Given all of the season's changes and the adversity the team had to fight through, the fact that they played in October at all was an anomaly in itself. On paper, it made sense for the Cardinals to be in the playoffs, but few saw them as a true threat. As the season continued, even fans began to doubt as they watched the team seemingly crumble in June and July. When the Cardinals finally came to life in September they went 11-5 in the last 16 games of the season to lock up the second Wild Card position in its inaugural year. That run, despite it's crushing end in Cincinnati in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series, lots of good came from the Cardinals' season and playoff run. Following in no particular order are 10 reasons Cardinals fans have to be excited about the 2013 season. Trevor Rosenthal When rookie fireballer Trevor Rosenthal made his first trip to St. Louis, it was obvious almost instantly that he was something special. Between his 100 mph fastball and the general inability for almost anyone to hit off of him, he became a huge part of the Cardinals playoff run. He pitched in a total of 19 regular season games before the 22-year-old rookie from Lee's Summit, Mo. got his first taste of postseason baseball and he put on quite a show. In 8.2 IP over seven postseason appearances, Rosenthal held opponents to only two hits and no runs. It's possible that down the stretch he may have already earned his spot in the rotation for 2013. Shelby Miller The long-coveted fastball pitching prospect Shelby Miller also made his first trip to St. Louis in 2012 and put on a good show. In 13.2 IP over six regular season games, Miller surrendered only two runs on nine hits. His postseason performance was more of the same with two runs on four hits in 3.2 IP. Despite a dismal first half of the season in Memphis, Miller got himself together and still managed to make one major league start before the end of the season -- a very impressive start at that. Against the Cincinnati Reds in the final game of the regular season, Miller posted 5.2 hitless innings. He gave up no runs and collected his first major league win. Expect to see a lot more of Miller in St. Louis early in 2013. Joe Kelly When Joe Kelly made his major league debut on June 10, few could have guessed the importance he would play throughout the remainder of the 2012 season. Kelly started 16 games for the Cardinals this season filling in for Jaime Garcia and Lance Lynn, but it was the postseason when he really came through for his teammates. When starting pitchers struggled time and again in October, it was Kelly who came to their rescue. In seven postseason appearances, Kelly threw 7.2 innings and surrendered only two runs on six hits. Kelly came through for the Cardinals from the bullpen. There's a good chance that could be his home in the future. Mike Matheny When the Cardinals hired Mike Matheny to take over for Tony LaRussa, many question bringing in a manager with no experience to such a storied franchise. He had a few hiccups and growing pains along the way, but for a rookie manager to get his team where Matheny did this year speaks volumes. His players have a strong respect for Matheny and credit his positive style with being a driving force behind their 2012 success. True, he didn't get them through the NLCS, but the team made it to an all or nothing Game 7. That's good experience for the players obviously, but also for Matheny. Not only did he learn a lot about managing in the media pressure cooker that is postseason baseball, he also got a taste of what it felt like to win as a manager. NLCS loss means more drive to win While the NLCS loss was a good lesson for a young manager, it's an even more important lesson for a young player. The 2011 championship lit a fire under young players like Lance Lynn and Jon Jay. That fire helped drive them to extremely successful sophomore seasons. What happened in 2012 will likely do the same for Rosenthal, Miller and Kelly. Their 2013 season may not be like Jay or Lynn's 2012, but now they've gotten a little taste of what it feels like to be a winner. Both the excitement and the public humbling can be a great experience for any young player. The run was without several key components In a season riddled with injuries, none were as crucial as those late in the season. The loss of Lance Berkman and Rafael Furcal significantly weakened the team's bench. Instead of having Pete Kozma, Allen Craig and Matt Carpenter to pinch hit, the team wound up having to use them in the lineup. The loss of Jaime Garcia and Jake Westbrook also rocked the Cardinals. Instead of having Lynn and Westbrook also available from the bullpen, Lynn was pushed back into the rotation after a very successful NLDS bullpen stint. Having gotten as deep into the playoffs as the Cardinals did in spite of the injuries is quite the accomplishment. They did it without Pujols, LaRussa and Duncan Few in the world of sports gave the Cardinals a fighting chance when Albert Pujols left the team to play on the west coast. Surely this team couldn't be as good as they were? Few gave them a chance after longtime manager Tony LaRussa decided it was time to retire. Few gave them a chance after pitching coach Dave Duncan left the team. The Cardinals did it despite all of that. That's something any fan should be proud of. No, they didn't hoist a trophy. There will be no parade or tickertape. What there is, though, is hope for next year and that will come sooner than you may think. After all, pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in just four short months. From a blog I was sent on twitter: http://www.dailystatesman.com/blogs/...es/entry/50051 Last edited by BigRedChief; 10-24-2012 at 08:57 PM..
Posts: 81,251

10-12-2012, 07:50 PM	#1472
jd1020 In Search of a Life Join Date: Nov 2010 Casino cash: $7042645	Wow... That is one of the worst ball calls ever.
Posts: 24,501

10-12-2012, 07:52 PM	#1474
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $6143463	A blast would be nice here from Craig
Posts: 15,945

10-12-2012, 08:00 PM	#1476
Sonic Cowboy-Raider Banned Join Date: Nov 2010 Casino cash: $10004900	My own salute to each & every one of you
Posts: 146

10-12-2012, 08:05 PM	#1477
kcpasco MVP Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $6143463	Miller Rosenthal and Kelly The future is bright.
Posts: 15,945

10-12-2012, 08:13 PM	#1481
Swanman It's a league game, Dude Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Itasca, IL Casino cash: $9967354	Gio is looking very ordinary. His control still sucks and he is getting behind almost every hitter. There is a ray of hope but the Cards need to get the **** going.
Posts: 4,719

10-12-2012, 08:14 PM	#1482
Simply Red You Sweetie! Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $2021206219 VARSITY	usually when they're at their best - when their will is tested.
Posts: 71,691

10-12-2012, 08:16 PM	#1483
jd1020 In Search of a Life Join Date: Nov 2010 Casino cash: $7042645	Bout time for Washington to get someone up in the pen.
Posts: 24,501